Downhole payload release containers, method and system of using the same

Abstract

Payload container and system for delivering a payload to a wellbore, the payload container includes a blister container having a cavity formed therein and an edge about the perimeter of the cavity, one or more payload substances contained within the cavity, a lidding material to cover the cavity, and optionally, an adhesive to bond the lidding material to the edge of the cavity, so that the one or more payload substances can be released in response to an external stimulus. The wellbore payload delivery system includes a plurality of payload containers and a pump system for injecting the one or more payload containers into a wellbore, the pump system has a pump and a length of tubing coupled with the pump and extending to a zone of a subterranean formation adjacent to the wellbore.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A payload container for delivering a payload to a wellbore, the payload container comprising:
 a blister container having a cavity formed therein with an edge about the perimeter of the cavity; 
 one or more payload substances contained within the cavity; 
 a lidding material to cover the cavity; 
 whereby the lidding material is bonded to the edge of the cavity so that the one or more payload substances can be released in response to an external stimulus, 
 wherein one or more of an external surface of the blister container and an external surface of the lidding material is porous, and 
 wherein one or more pores of the external surface of the blister container and/or the external surface of the lidding material is plugged with a stimulus-responsive material that will either degrade or cause the pores to swell or enlarge upon interaction with the external stimulus. 
 
     
     
       2. The payload container of  claim 1 , wherein the external stimulus occurs downhole in the wellbore and comprises a change in isotropic pressure, a change in anisotropic pressure, a change in temperature, one or more chemical reagents, air, water, hydrocarbons, radiation, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. A method of delivering a substance into a wellbore, the method comprising:
 injecting a plurality of payload containers containing a payload substance into a wellbore, 
 wherein a portion of the plurality of payload containers releases the payload substance in response to an external stimulus within the wellbore; 
 wherein each of the plurality of payload containers comprise:
 a blister container having a cavity formed therein; 
 a lidding material bonded with the blister container enclosing the cavity, the payload substance contained within the enclosed cavity, 
 
 wherein one or more pores of an external surface of the blister container and/or an external surface of the lidding material is plugged with a stimulus-responsive material that will either degrade or cause the pores to swell or enlarge upon interaction with the external stimulus; 
 wherein the plurality of payload containers are formed in a blister sheet and each of the plurality of payload containers are punched from the blister sheet prior to injecting the plurality of payload containers into the wellbore, 
 whereby the lidding material is bonded to the edge of the cavity so that the payload substance can be released in response to an external stimulus. 
 
     
     
       4. A method of delivering a substance into a wellbore, the method comprising:
 injecting a plurality of payload containers containing a payload substance into a wellbore, 
 wherein a portion of the plurality of payload containers releases the payload substance in response to an external stimulus within the wellbore; 
 wherein each of the plurality of payload containers comprise:
 a blister container having a cavity formed therein; 
 a lidding material bonded with the blister container enclosing the cavity, the payload substance contained within the enclosed cavity, 
 
 wherein the lidding material and blister container of each payload container are made of different material, 
 wherein the plurality of payload containers are formed in a blister sheet and each of the plurality of payload containers are punched from the blister sheet prior to injecting the plurality of payload containers into the wellbore, 
 whereby the lidding material is bonded to the edge of the cavity so that the payload substance can be released in response to an external stimulus, 
 wherein one or more of an external surface of the blister container and an external surface of the lidding material is porous, and 
 wherein one or more pores of the external surface of the blister container and/or the external surface of the lidding material is plugged with a stimulus-responsive material that will either degrade or cause the pores to swell or enlarge upon interaction with the external stimulus. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the lidding material is bonded to the blister container by heat bonding, solvent bonding, ultrasonic bonding, a thermoset adhesive, a solvent-based adhesive, an aqueous adhesive, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the wellbore carrier fluid comprises a drilling fluid, a fracturing fluid, a mudding fluid, a cementing fluid, a completion fluid, a displacement fluid, a diverter fluid, a stimulation fluid, a treatment fluid, saltwater, freshwater, brine, air, a stable foam, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. A wellbore payload delivery system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of payload containers, each payload container comprising:
 a blister container having a cavity formed therein; 
 a lidding material bonded with the blister container enclosing the cavity; 
 a payload substance contained within the cavity, and 
 
 wherein the lidding material and blister container of each payload container are made of different material, 
 wherein the plurality of payload containers are formed in a blister sheet and each of the plurality of payload containers are punched from the blister sheet, 
 whereby the lidding material is bonded to the edge of the cavity so that the payload substance can be released in response to an external stimulus, 
 wherein one or more of an external surface of the blister container and an external surface of the lidding material is porous, and 
 wherein one or more pores of the external surface of the blister container and/or the external surface of the lidding material is plugged with a stimulus-responsive material that will either degrade or cause the pores to swell or enlarge upon interaction with the external stimulus; 
 a pump system for injecting the one or more payload containers into a wellbore, the pump system comprising:
 a pump; and 
 a length of tubing coupled with the pump and extending to a zone of a subterranean formation adjacent to the wellbore. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lidding material is bonded to the blister container by heat bonding, solvent bonding, ultrasonic bonding, a thermoset adhesive, a solvent-based adhesive, an aqueous adhesive, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the payload container releases the one or more payload substances in response to an external stimulus. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the external stimulus is a change in isotropic pressure, a change in anisotropic pressure, a change in temperature, one or more chemical reagents, air, water, hydrocarbons, radiation, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the payload container maintains containment of payload substances in excess of 125° C. and 0.5-30 kPSI. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the stimulus is a temperature in excess of 175° C. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the external stimulus compromises the lidding material of the payload container for the release or exposure of the one or more payload substances. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the external stimulus compromises the blister container of the payload container for the release or exposure of the one or more payload substances. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the external stimulus compromises the adhesive of the payload container for the release or exposure of the one or more payload substances. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the blister container of the payload container is made from a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 16 , wherein the thermoplastic material is any one of a polystyrene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyethylene terephthalate glycol, a polyethylene, and a polypropylene, a polyacrylate, a poly(methyl methacrylate), a polyester, a polylactic acid, and a polyglycolic acid. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 7 , wherein an external surface of the blister container is textured. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 7 , wherein an external surface of the blister container is functionalized with a hydrophobic chemical species, a hydrophilic chemical species, an amphiphilic chemical species, a zwitterionic chemical species, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the blister container of the payload container comprises two or more subcavities separated by a barrier, each subcavity containing one or more payload substances. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lidding material of the payload container is any one of a metal foil, a polymeric material, a resin, a woven material, a non-woven material, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 21 , wherein the lidding material of the payload container is a pre-formed sheet or a coating material. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the each payload container has an aspect ratio ranging from about 1 to about 10. 
     
     
       24. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the lidding material is bonded to the blister sheet by heat bonding, solvent bonding, ultrasonic bonding, a thermoset adhesive, a solvent-based adhesive, an aqueous adhesive, or any combination thereof.